SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The New England Patriots announced the signing of defensive lineman Riddick Parker today. Subsequently, they released veteran linebacker Marty Moore. Parker will wear uniform number 71.
Parker, 29, played in 13 games with the Patriots last season and recorded 10 tackles (7 solos), including one sack. He signed with the New York Jets as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason, but was recently released. The 6-foot-3-inch, 295-pound defensive tackle was originally signed by the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent on July 17, 1996 and spent the 1996 season on their practice squad. From 1997-2000 he played in 51 games, with 19 starts, and accumulated 76 tackles and three sacks. Parker recorded career-highs with 48 tackles and 32 solos tackles during the 2000 season.
Moore, 31, was originally drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round as the final selection of the 1994 NFL draft. He played six seasons with the Patriots, starting 10 of 93 games before signing with the Cleveland Browns as an unrestricted free agent in 2000. He started nine of 16 games for the Browns, but returned to the Patriots on Sept. 4, 2001. He played in three games before being placed on injured reserve on Oct. 2, 2001 for the remainder of the 2001 season. He was released by the team on March 5, 2002, but re-signed on May 31.
